Before the 2024 season, the Cleveland Browns safety Rodney McLeod announced that this would be his final year in the NFL. The 13-year veteran would hang up the cleats at the end of the campaign.
On Monday, McLeod was asked whether he was reconsidering his decision after the Browns had such a disappointing season. Per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi, the 34-year-old defender said that he was comfortable with this end to his story and was still retiring.
Rodney McLeod Still Retiring at the End of the Season
Browns S Rodney McLeod said he hasn’t reconsidered making this the final season of his career.
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) December 16, 2024
“There’s no perfect story. … I’m comfortable with living with the final results.”
When McLeod initially announced his decision, he likely wasn't expecting the Browns to be 3-11 heading into the final three games of the season. A former Super Bowl champ with the Philadelphia Eagles, McLeod was presumably hoping for a final postseason run after Cleveland made the postseason in 2023.
McLeod wasn't able to play in the final stretch of the season last year and missed the playoffs after suffering a torn biceps in Week 11. Coming back from his surgery, McLeod has been remarkably healthy this season, appearing in every game, starting in three of them, and playing over 50% of defensive snaps.
In his playing time, McLeod hasn't been particularly impressive as to be expected from a 34-year-old backfield defender. He has allowed a 107 passer rating and three touchdowns in coverage when targeted and has missed six tackles already. On PFF, he currently has a career-worst 43.2 defensive grade for the season, with an especially poor coverage grade of 39.6.
McLeod is a respected veteran and could still find a job as a locker room presence somewhere. At this stage of his career, however, his days of contributing on the field are likely over. It is a good thing that he is acknowledging that and choosing to walk away from the game.